AP® exams: a guide for parents on costs, scores and credit
What you'll pay for AP® exams, what you can and can't see, and how a score turns into college credit, in plain words. Each college decides what credit it gives.
- $99Per exam in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada and DoWEA schools
- $37Fee reduction per exam for students with significant financial need
- 120Credits a bachelor's degree usually takes
What AP® exams cost
The fee
$99 per exam in the U.S., U.S. territories or Canada; $129 outside the U.S. The school may charge more to cover proctoring.
Help with fees
A $37 College Board reduction per exam for significant financial need, and some states add more. The AP coordinator knows what's available.
Paid through the school
Fees go through the school, not College Board's site.
Late orders and cancels
A late order (November 14 to March 12, full-year or first-semester courses) adds $40. Dropping an ordered exam after November 13 costs $40, unless you transfer out of the school.
Scores: what you can see and when
Parents don't see scores
Unless your child shares their College Board login.
Early July
Scores are released in early July.
One free send a year
Each year your child tests, one score send is free; others cost $15.
How AP® scores turn into college credit
A bachelor's degree usually takes 120 credits; each one earned by exam is one less course to take.
Scores 1 to 5
AP scores run from 1 to 5. Many U.S. colleges give credit or placement for 3 and above.
Your college decides
Each college makes its own decisions about what scores it will grant credit or placement for.
Send scores on time
One free score send every year you test; pick it by June 20 and the college should have your scores by early July. Other reports are $15 each.
Don't wait until fall
Some colleges won't accept AP scores once you've arrived on campus as a freshman.
How you can help
- Any student ready for a challenge and willing to work should be able to take AP.
- Mark the fall registration deadline: exams are in May.
- No AP class at school? The exam doesn't require one.
- College Board releases past free-response questions every year.
If an exam goes badly
Next May
AP exams can be taken each time they're offered, once a year in May.
CLEP®, all year
College Board suggests CLEP for students who miss the AP exam, where the content matches. CLEP runs all year. See CLEP® for high school students.
Study for your AP® exams with TransferCredit.org
Printable study guides for 36 AP exams. Every guide is in one plan: $29 a month, or $149 once.
AP exams for parents: quick answers
How much do AP exams cost?
$99 per exam in the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada; the school may charge more.
Can parents see AP scores?
Not unless the student shares their College Board login.
Is there help with AP exam fees?
Students with significant financial need may get a $37 reduction per exam, plus state funding in some states.
What if my child skips an exam that was ordered?
After the November 13 deadline, the charge is $40 per exam instead of the full fee.
Do colleges accept AP scores?
Many give credit or placement for 3 and above, but each college decides.
Help them study smart
Our printable AP® guides cover the key terms and practice questions for each exam.
We source all of this information from College Board.